Fire crews have been out to reinspect the factory in Groby which was the scene of a major chemical fire yesterday.

The visit came more than 24 hours after the blaze started at GE Druck in Fir Tree Lane, triggered by a chemical spill of what is believed to be nitric acid.

Although no one was injured the incident escalated with industrial units evacuated, the village centre shutdown, roads closed and residents advised to stay indoors because of potentially dangerous toxic fumes.

Quick actions of firefighters prevented the blaze spreading to a chemical store which would have caused even more havoc and locals were told two huge oxygen tanks had been prevented from blowing up.

The alarm was raised at around 6.20am with the fire quickly taking hold and prompting a mass evacuation from the site.

At its height some 50 firefighters, including crews from Hinckley and Market Bosworth, were battling the blaze which was brought under control by lunchtime and completely doused by 2pm.

A pall of black smoke rose from the fire and could be seen for miles around.

Residents spoke of an acrid smell and initially there were fears the fumes were toxic but further investigation revealed while unpleasant the smoke was no more dangerous than that given off by the average house fire.

Damage at the two-storey factory which makes precision measuring instruments and measures 100m by 60m is to be determined.

Chief fire and rescue officer for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Dave Webb, said: "Although this was a large hazardous fire, crews from nine stations across the county prevented it becoming a major incident and working together got the blaze under control.

"The incident, which brought the village to a standstill, has raised questions among local residents about why the factory has dangerous chemicals on site when it is surrounded by so many homes."